Barry Bonds
A baseball titan whose unprecedented power-hitting records are forever shadowed by the steroid controversy that defined his era.
Born 1964 (age 62)·American baseball player·Birthday: July 24·Baby Boomers
Biography
Barry Bonds entered the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 as a sleek, five-tool talent, the son of All-Star Bobby Bonds and godson of the great Willie Mays. His early career was marked by speed, defense, and a sharp batting eye. After moving to the San Francisco Giants in 1993, his physique transformed, and his home run output ascended to almost mythical levels. In 2001, he shattered Mark McGwire's single-season record by hitting 73 homers, a mark that still stands. He later eclipsed Hank Aaron's all-time career home run record, finishing with 762. However, his late-career dominance unfolded amid widespread suspicion of performance-enhancing drug use, allegations detailed in the BALCO scandal. Though never officially sanctioned by MLB for failing a test, he was convicted of obstruction of justice in a related case. Bonds's statistical achievements are unparalleled, but his legacy remains the most complex and debated in sports history.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Barry was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Barry Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Barry's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the MLB all-time career records for home runs (762) and walks (2,558).
- Set the single-season home run record with 73 in 2001.
- Won a record seven National League Most Valuable Player awards.
- Is the only MLB player to have over 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.
- Led the National League in on-base percentage a record ten times.
Did You Know?
He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants out of high school in 1982 but chose to attend Arizona State University instead.
He won eight Gold Glove Awards for his defensive play in left field.
His father, Bobby Bonds, and his godfather, Willie Mays, both played for the San Francisco Giants.
He hit his 756th career home run to break Hank Aaron's record off Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik.
He served as a hitting coach for the Miami Marlins after his playing career ended.
“I won't miss the game. The game will miss me.”
